What is First Goal Time in Football Betting?
First Goal Time betting is a market where you predict the minute or time range in which the first goal will be scored in a football match.
It does not matter which team scores — only when the first goal happens.
Common Market Formats
Bookmakers usually present First Goal Time in one of these formats:
- Time Intervals / Ranges
- Example:
- 0–10 minutes
- 11–20 minutes
- 21–30 minutes
- No Goal (0–0)
- Example:
- Before / After a Certain Minute
- Example:
- First Goal Before 30:00 (Goal scored before the 30th minute)
- First Goal After 30:00 (No goal before the 30th minute)
- Example:
- Exact Minute
- Example: Predicting the exact minute of the first goal (very risky but with high odds).
Example with Real Teams
Let’s use an example:
Match: Arsenal vs Chelsea
First Goal Time Betting Options:
| Option | Meaning | Example Outcome | Bet Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–10 min | First goal between minute 1–10 | Goal in 7th min | Win |
| 11–20 min | First goal between minute 11–20 | Goal in 16th min | Win |
| 21–30 min | First goal between minute 21–30 | Goal in 25th min | Win |
| After 30 min | No goal until after 30th minute | First goal in 45th min | Win |
| No Goal | Match ends 0–0 | No goals scored | Win |
Example Bet:
You bet ₦5,000 on “First Goal Time: 11–20 min” at odds of 4.00.
If Arsenal score in the 16th minute, you win:
Winnings = ₦5,000 × 4.00 = ₦20,000
Example 2: Using the “Before or After” Market
Market:
- First Goal Before 30:00 → Odds: 1.80
- First Goal After 30:00 → Odds: 2.00
If you bet on After 30:00, and the first goal comes in the 38th minute, your bet wins.
If the first goal comes in the 22nd minute, your bet loses.
Key Points to Note
- The clock starts at 00:00, so the 1st minute covers 0:01–1:00.
- An own goal still counts as the first goal — it doesn’t matter who scores.
- Extra time goals (90+ minutes) count as normal — unless otherwise stated.
- If the match ends 0–0, then “No Goal” or “After 90 mins” wins.
Betting Tips for First Goal Time
1. Study Team Styles
- Attacking teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid often score early.
- Defensive teams (e.g. Burnley, Getafe, Nottingham Forest) tend to concede or score later.
2. Check Past Data
- Look at the average first goal time in both teams’ last 5–10 matches.
- Example:
- Arsenal’s first goal average = 18 minutes
- Chelsea’s first goal conceded average = 22 minutes
→ Likely range: 11–20 minutes
3. Consider Home/Away Impact
- Home teams usually start faster — early pressure often leads to early goals.
4. Avoid Early Goal Bets in Tight Matches
- Big derbies (e.g., Chelsea vs Tottenham) or finals often start cautiously → bet After 30:00.
5. Weather & Pitch Conditions
- Wet or poor pitches slow down gameplay → fewer early goals.
6. Live Betting Advantage
- Watch the first 10 minutes — if both teams are defending deep, a “First Goal After 30:00” bet can be safer with better odds.
Example Strategy
Match: Manchester City vs Brentford
- City are known for fast starts.
- Brentford defend deep but concede early to top teams.
Best Pick: “First Goal Time: 0–10 minutes” or “Before 15:00”
Reason: City often break down weaker sides early at home.
Alternative:
For tight games like Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla,
Pick: “After 30:00”
Reason: Both teams play cautious, defensive football early on.
Summary Table
| Type | What You Predict | Typical Odds | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–10, 11–20, etc. | Time range of 1st goal | 3.00–8.00 | General analysis |
| Before/After 30 min | Early vs late goal | 1.80–2.20 | Safer betting |
| Exact Minute | Exact goal time | 20.00+ | High-risk, fun bet |
Would you like me to include a First Goal Time prediction template (so you can analyze matches and fill it in before betting)?